1

Serving Boone, Brown, Hamilton, Hancock,  Hendricks,  Johnson, Marion,  Monroe, Morgan  and Shelby  Counties 

The Heart of Conservation… the Land and its People

6041 Lakeside BoulevardIndianapolis, IN 46278

317-290-3250: Fax: 317-290-3150:

Hhrcd@hhrcd.orgwww.hhrcd.org

2008 ANNUAL REPORT 

Hoosier Heartland RC&D Council, Inc. 

ABOUT US The Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D) is based on a number of concepts that make it a truly unique federal government program. These concepts include:

• Making the best use of limited resources through public/private partnerships.

• Improving local initiatives through technical support from USDA and other agencies.

• Leveraging limited federal dollars with private funds to accomplish goals.

• Working toward the goal of community sustainability.

• Achieving a balance between economic development and natural resource protection.

RC&Ds serve 85% of U.S. counties, 180 million people in 2,614 counties in all 50 states, the Caribbean, and Pacific Basin. The average RC&D area covers 7 counties.

RC&Ds encourage land conservation and utilization, accelerated economic development and/or improvement of social conditions.

RC&D is a USDA-wide program - all agencies are authorized to assist RC&Ds.

All Council members serve as volunteers. Nearly half of Council members are locally elected officials such as mayors, judges, commissioners, Extension Board members, or Soil and Water Conservation District Board supervisors. The average RC&D Council has 14 sponsors.

Funding runs through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides a full-time coordinator for each RC&D.

The USDA Secretary has designated 375 RC&D Areas to date. There are 38 areas that have pending applications to become a designated RC&D area. Indiana has 9 authorized and one applicant RC&D area.

RC&D Councils provide a focal point of local leadership. They bring together private citizens and local, state and federal agencies to improve economic, social and environmental well-being of their area.

RC&D Councils develop Area Plans – a resource conservation and utilization plan, which provides direction. To accomplish this they hold community meetings to identify concerns, needs and problems within the Area. They implement projects and activities that achieve Area Plan goals and objectives.

RC&D Councils involve local and state agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, foundations, conservation districts and private businesses.

RC&Ds must raise their own funds to carry out projects through grants, fees, and fundraisers. They leverage federal RC&D dollars 8 to 1 to support conservation and economic development in local communities.

Hoosier Heartland was organized by local people in 1969 to help the citizens of the area learn to care for, conserve, and protect natural resources in a way that improves the area's economy, environment and living standards in Central Indiana.

The RC&D was originally formed as the "Hoosier Heartland Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts" to address water quality, drainage issues, and rapid development in the multi-county area. Hoosier Heartland today is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit corporation based on sound utilization of natural, technical, and human resources that focuses on successfully balancing community development needs with environmental protection to improve the quality of life for residents of Central Indiana.

We are regionally focused while serving the needs of Boone, Brown, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, and Shelby Counties.

RC&D provides a vehicle for dealing with many natural resources and economic development issues through citizen participation. It is as much a way of doing things—a process—as it is a program. We bring local people together with organizations, businesses, and governments to build partnerships and to help them find solutions to their problems. Our work is carried out through five standing committees and several project-focused committees. These committees help to identify issues that need to be addressed, and are made up of people and groups who have a desire to make a difference in the area, along with technical experts from local, state, and federal agencies. We are always looking for more involvement – join us to make a difference today!

2

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Paula Baldwin Sometimes it seems the only constant is change. This country faces new economic concerns, a new administration carving a new direction, and new imperatives in our global condition and initiatives. The past year also brought dramatic weather that challenged communities, devastated landscapes and change the very course of our most major river. I suspect each of us can look back on this year and see incredible changes in our own lives – loved ones lost, children taking new steps, marriages expanding what we call family, hardships and triumphs pushing and pulling us to new ways, places, or things.

Hoosier Heartland has been affected by many of the changes listed above. Good people are moving on to do other work, new faces have joined us to bring new ideas and energy to our work. This council has looked hard at what we do and how we do it in order to make some pretty amazing changes so that we can better support conservation in this changing world.

All the same, I read minutes from meetings and see the same earnest efforts to sustain our natural resources. I attend workshops and still see average people working to do above average things to improve communities. I sit in meeting and listen to land users talk of stewardship, water quality, grass roots initiatives. There are emails from committee chairs dealing with actions on our Plan of Work between committee meetings. There are discussions among the executive committee members on every aspect of sustaining this organization. I scan the pages of another annual report listing the outcomes of another year working toward a better standard of living and see that nothing has really changed – the work at hand is still vital and there are people still willing to do it.

Just as we will overcome the economic struggle and clear the storm damage away, we will always have people who care – who see that it is up to them to roll up their sleeves and fix what is wrong. You need only read this year’s list of volunteers and review the many partners named in this report to see how true this is. And please, when you see one of them tonight or in the days ahead, thank them for that willingness to do more and try harder to make things better even in the midst of change.

HOOSIER HEARTLAND OPERATIONS The Hoosier Heartland RC&D Council is governed by a 30-member Board of Directors that is made up of representatives of the three sponsoring organizations from the 10 counties that it serves and represents. Hoosier Heartland’s sponsoring organizations are the County Commissioners, Soil and Water Conservation District Boards, and Extension Service Boards. Representatives and alternate representatives are appointed by their organization to represent their interest in matters brought to the council’s attention. The Board governs the policy, direction, and financial activities of the organization, and keeps their sponsoring organization informed. Alternates are welcome to attend any meeting; however, they can only vote when the representative is absent. Members of the Board are appointed because they are regionally-minded, and are interested and concerned about the social, economic, and environmental status of the area. A special “thank you” to all the Representatives and Alternates who volunteered their time during 2008! 2008 Executive Committee and Officers President: Paula Baldwin, Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Vice President: Bob Eddleman, Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Secretary: John Ulmer, Boone County Commissioners Treasurer: Tom Roney, Hancock County Extension Service Board At-Large Member Tom Ulsas, Marion County Extension Service Board At-Large Member: Warren Waymire, Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District At-Large Member: Emma Alkire, Morgan County Extension Service Board

3

2008 Board of Directors (Representatives and Alternates) County SWCD Board Extension Board Commissioners Boone David Herr Charles Rohrer John Ulmer (Alternate) Scheryl Vaughn None Appointed None Appointed

Brown Bonnie Closey Sheila Dickman Cathy Paradise (Alternate) Al Weber Laura Brzeksi None Appointed

Hamilton Ted Engelbrecht Suzanne Stevens Charles Kiphart (Alternate) John South None Appointed Al Patterson

Hancock Ray Helms Tom Roney David Burton (Alternate) John Moran Earl Smith None Appointed

Hendricks Jim Loughmiller David Hadley David Wyeth (Alternate) Mike Starkey Kathy Allen None Appointed

Johnson Bob Weaver Dick Ratliff Beth McNabb (Alternate) Jeff Beck Jim Facemire R.J. McConnell

Marion Paula Baldwin Tom Ulsas Bob Eddleman** (Alternate) Marvin Brethauer Natalie German William Dowden **

Monroe Don Derheimer None appointed Martha Miller (Alternate) Todd Litten None appointed None Appointed

Morgan Warren Waymire Emma Alkire Norman Voyles (Alternate) John Zupancic None appointed Joe Tutterrow

Shelby Aaron Swinford Mark Nigh David Mohr, Jr. (Alternate) Jill Williams None Appointed Doug Warnecke

**Representatives of the Indianapolis-Marion County Unified Council

Staff The RC&D staff assists the Council and committees in putting ideas into action. The coordinator and program assistant assigned to work with the Council are federal employees. They are provided through a unique USDA partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. All other funding for operating expenses, administrative assistance, and projects are raised through grants, registration fees, contributions, and partnerships. The RC&D utilizes part-time employees, volunteers, and work-for-hire contracted services to carry out the programs of the organization. We are very grateful to the employees and officials of SWCDs, IDNR, ISDA, NRCS, and County Extension Service who also lend incredible resources to make our work possible.

Becky Fletcher, RC&D Coordinator Cathy Deal, RC&D Program Assistant Sue Ann Blessing, Accounting Assistant (part time) Mandy Nyhuis, Marketing Assst. Intern (REN) (Jan.–Oct.) Rebecca Nyhuis, Clerical Assistant (Jan.-Oct.)

Rita Riggs, RC&D Office Assistant (part time) Christy Sommers, Financial Assistant (part time) John Thornburgh, Intern (PAM) (May-August) Heather Wolfe, Education and Information Coord.(PAM)

(part time)

Project Consultants Cindy Beckner-Newkirk, Education and Information Specialist, Plant A Million Trees Project Bob Eddleman, Project Director, Plant A Million Trees Project Damon Flanagan and Alice Gatewood, Heightened Designs Unlimited, Inc., Publication and Website Design Randy Jones, Aqua Terra, Inc., Project Coordinator, Riparian Area Buffer Tree Planting Project Ron Lauster, Plant A Million, Webmaster Jim Roudebush, Roudebush Management Services, Director, Rural Entrepreneur Network Project Alice Sweeney, Marketing Specialist, Plant A Million Project Earth Team Volunteers At any one time in Hoosier Heartland we have over 100 volunteers (this includes organizations, business and industry, as well as individuals) working on projects. We also have through our relationship with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, a formal volunteer program called Earth Team.

Anyone working with Hoosier Heartland may sign up as an Earth Team volunteer. There are many benefits to signing up as an Earth Team Volunteer, for example volunteers receive protection for on-the-job related injuries and tort claims. The Earth Team is great for resume building, re-entry into the workforce, and the opportunity to work hand-

4

Projects Completed • 2007 Environmental Educators Association Conference • 2007 Forestry Stewardship Award • 2008 Farm Festival • 2008 Indiana Flower and Patio Show • 2008 Natural Resources Exploration Workshop for Home

School Families • Backyard Conservation Newsletters • Big Bang… Little Bucks – Marketing Your Small Business

Workshop Series • Build Your Own Rain Garden Publication • Central Indiana Watersheds Information & Blog Website • Leadership Retreat • Forecastle Festival • Freshwater Shrimp Launch and Harvest • Green Site Planning Workshop • Hydrology and Hydraulics for the Beginner (2 day seminar) • Indiana Conservation Alliance • Indiana Rural Enterprise Alliance - Rural Entrepreneur

Network (Phase II) • Indiana Tree Species Fact Sheets • Lower Fall Creek Watershed Plan-Phase I • Marketing Workshop for Conservation Agencies and

Organizations • Nature Daze Field Day • Plant A Million Phase IV • Rain Barrel Brochure • Real Estate Continuing Education Course—Natural

Resources and Development • Riparian Area Buffer Tree Planting Project—Phase II • Rural Business Start Up Workshop Series • Shoreline Stewards Workshop • Shrimp Farmers Alliance Conference • Storm Water Management and Erosion Control Workshop • Urban and Community Conservation Assistance Program—

Phase I • Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds (TR 55) Workshop Hoosier Heartland has several new and continuing projects. Some need a leader, further development or sponsorship. If you would like to help, please contact the office or a committee chairperson.

in-hand with professional conservationists. There are lots of jobs to do in RC&D and the Earth Team helps us get them done! A big THANK YOU to our 2008 Earth Team Volunteers! Paula Baldwin Jennifer Boyle Leah Deal Bob and Pat Eddleman Kevin and Susan Gregory Ed Heckman Ron and Cindy Lauster Tom Roney

Emily Roseman Tom Roseman Dennis Slaughter Paul and Donna Sweeney Harold Thompson Chris and Lila Torp Mike Warner John and Candace Ulmer

Council representatives or alternates and NRCS or SWCD employees can only count Earth Team hours for work that is out of the scope of their appointed duties as a sponsor representative.

PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS Hoosier Heartland completed a number of projects this year and started many others. Projects (formerly called “measures”) are major activities approved by the council or executive committee and carried out by committees, volunteers, or partnering organizations. Each project must tie directly back to the objectives of the Hoosier Heartland Area Plan. Some projects are multi-year and because of their size, cost, or time length may be divided into phases. When mutually beneficial to each other’s goals, many of our projects are jointly sponsored and carried out with partners such as SWCDs, Extension Service or others. The following is a list of projects completed and started. For more information about these projects read the chairperson’s reports in this document or contact our office.

Accomplishments at a Glance 37 Number of project completed 23 Number of new projects started 10 Number of grant proposals written and submitted 4 Number of grants obtained $128,921 Amount of grant dollars received 14 Number of business consulting sessions 12 Number of businesses started, assisted, or enhanced 12 Businesses benefiting from new technology 54 Number of workshops and field days held 5 Community events held or participated in 479 Number of youth participants (in all events 7,810 Number of adult participants (in all events 104 Number of instructors 104 16 Number of exhibits 113,500 Number of trees and shrubs planted 45 Number of improved water bodies 885 Number of acres improved for wildlife, forestry, or

water quality 45T Tons of greenhouse gases reduced 215 Number of partners 239 Number of active volunteers 22 Number of Earth Team Volunteers 131 Information and education media produced (includes

presentations, brochures, fact sheets, publications, newsletters)

62 Number of news releases 478,795 Information pieces dispersed 3 Number of conservation awards presented

5

rr

rr

r

r

r

r

r

r

r

r

r

r

Marion

Madison

Hamilton Delaware

Tipton

6

2

3

4

1

7

9

16

17

18

28

38

37

0 10 20 Miles

S

N

EW

Buffer Planting Sites

Counties

Buffer SitesrWhite River Mainstem

Streams

Service Area

Key

SPECIAL PROJECT REPORTS Riparian Area Buffer Tree Planting Project The Riparian Buffer Project wrapped up in the summer of 2008. We are proud to report the following accomplishments:

A total of 46.4 acres planted in the targeted Fish Kill area of the Upper White River Watershed

14 sites planted in Hamilton, Marion, and Madison Counties

4 high profile demonstration sites planted

4,575 trees and shrubs planted

$104,000 in grants received

$48,250 in cost share distributed to private landowners, as well as schools, churches, etc.

Met on-site with 38 potential project participants to initiate planning process and share information on buffer function and design.

Developed Buffer Fact Sheet for distribution via email and as a handout at events, including the Indiana Flower & Patio Show, Indiana State Fair, Forestry Council events, etc.

2 educational presentations at the 2006 River’s Institute Conference and to Concerned Citizens for Johnson County

Developed web-page information to distribute information; includes application materials, buffer benefits, maps, and photos.

$46,989 in-kind and matching funds received (from landowners, volunteers, and staff.)

15 news articles produced on all types of reason to plant trees near streams, rivers, ponds, etc.

1 Field Day held at Holcomb Estate in Indianapolis with over 25 in attendance Funding for the project was through grants from 319 Non Point Source Pollution (IDEM) and the White River (Fish Kill) Settlement Fund. The program allowed us to reimburse qualifying landowners with cost-share funds of up to 75 percent (up to $1,000 an acre) for planting along streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and detention ponds.

We recognize Randy Jones with Aqua Terra who served as our project coordinator throughout the entire project, along with Paul Miner who served as the Steering Committee Chair. This project would not have happened without their dedication.

We also conducted research, educational and public awareness activities as part of the project. Wendy DeBoard, a graduate student from IUPUI, was hired as an intern. Wendy inventoried and developed modeling of forested buffers at the Holcomb Estate and Washington Woods Elementary planting sites using the CityGreen software package. The models included various environmental and financial benefits of buffers. The results were presented at a field day hosted by the Holcombe Estate Homeowners Association.

This project will produce results for years to come—one mature tree sequesters 250 pounds of carbon each year (more than 50 percent of a large tree is carbon), according to USDA. One hundred mature trees remove 53 tons of CO2 each year, as well as 430 pounds of other air pollutants. Roughly 300 trees are needed to remove the pollution one person generates in a lifetime!

First Mennonite Church, Indianapolis Westside

6

Rural Enterprise Alliance The Rural Entrepreneur Network (REN) project has grown exponentially since 2005 under the leadership of Jim Roudebush, Roudebush Management Service, and Paula Baldwin, who chairs the Steering Committee.

With a grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) in 2007 and 2008, the project expanded to 30 central Indiana counties. The name of the project was changed in early 2007 to reflect the constituency more (both traditional farmers, as well as rural businesses not in an agricultural business). With the new grant we were able to focus more on training and educating entrepreneurs who are ready to take the steps toward starting a business rather than the broader efforts that built visions and examples of how rural Hoosiers might improve their lives. Hoosier Energy also supported this project with a $5,000 grant that helped to pay for part time staffing.

REN offers four training modules: Start Your Own Business; Small Business Marketing – Big Bang with Small Bucks; Small Business Consulting Sessions; and Youth Entrepreneur Training. Some tools from these sessions include a Business Plan Brief, a Marketing Plan Template, 12 Ways to Finance a Small Rural Business and more. A new workshop about financial risk management was developed in the fall.

REN has also launched a terrific new website www.ruralenet.org that includes on-line networking capabilities for entrepreneurs. We held our first annual awards program last spring for Outstanding Rural Entrepreneurs to honor two exceptional entrepreneurs in Johnson and Morgan Counties. We also launched a new semi annual newsletter called the Rural Entrepreneur Gazette. We far exceeded our goals in the past 18 months. Major accomplishments include:

Number of persons reached by concept of Rural Entrepreneur (includes media) = 2,125,000 (goal 2,000,000) estimate as we do not have a clipping services although we have records of many major and minor articles running regarding REN work

Number of persons spoken to or receiving direct communication about Rural Entrepreneur (excludes media)= 4,440 (goal 2,500)

Number of persons attending REN Education/Training sessions or receiving one/one consulting = 1,225 (goal 750)

Percentage of evaluations that are positive from Education/Training sessions = exceeds 95% (goal 90%)

Percentage of Education/Training participants indicating increased business and/or rural entrepreneur knowledge = exceeds 95% (18-month goal 90%)

Number of persons developing, funding, and/or implementing a Business Plan = 445 (goal 200)

Number of persons who were provided information or coached in business and/or marketing opportunities by REN = 2,215 (goal 2,000)

We gratefully acknowledge the Purdue Center for Regional Development and Extension Service who worked closely with REN to hold a strategic planning session in August 2008 to determine where the project should go and how to sustain it financially. As the year closes we are hopeful for new funding and partnerships to continue our work.

PLANT A MILLION 2008 was a year of lots of Plant A Million activity as shown below. The Plan of Work keys in on the two basic objectives of Plant A Million that have been the project’s main focus since its inception. It places significant emphasis on funding needed to accomplish the two basic objectives of the project which are:

1. To educate the general public about the benefits of trees and their management 2. To help the citizens of Central Indiana plant a million or more mostly native trees

As a result of public interest and major funding, two high profile demonstration rain gardens were added as a special activity for the project in late 2008.

Another important component of this project is to create publicity for the great work of the ten Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the Hoosier Heartland. One important part of this aspect of the project is to promote the SWCD Tree Sales as we talk with people about the importance of planting high quality trees. A great deal of progress has been made in the Plant A Million effort. The residents of Central Indiana have reported over 550,000 trees planted by using the “Make my Trees Count” reporting system. Several of the accomplishments of the Plant A Million effort during 2008 are listed below. Joint sponsorship of Basic Tree Care Workshops by Hoosier Heartland, local SWCDs and local libraries is another special effort increase local awareness of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

• Nearly 200,000 trees reported planted in 2008!

• Two new staff members hired – Heather Wolfe, summer intern and now the Education and Information Coordinator, and Alice Sweeney, Market Specialist

• Exhibits provided at 29 locations including county fairs, Green Site workshop, two farm tours, county parks, contractor and developers’ workshops, libraries and SWCD Annual Meetings.

7

• An exhibit and booth at the annual Conservation Day at the Indiana State House during the legislative session.

• An exhibit in the Horticulture Building at the Indiana State Fair for all 12 days of the Fair.

• Participation with an exhibit booth at the Indianapolis Flower and Patio Show for 10 days during March.

• Twenty-seven presentations made about trees and the Plant A Million project at service clubs, garden clubs, Indianapolis Flower and Patio Show, and schools.

• Seven basic tree care workshops were held in Plainfield, Beech Grove, White River Township, Shelbyville, Bloomington, and Indianapolis in cooperation with local libraries and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants learn the basics of tree selection, planting, watering, pruning, mulching, potential environmental stresses, diseases and how trees grow.

• Project Steering Committee reorganized to include people with special backgrounds in forestry, horticulture, agriculture, tree farming, and community activities.

• Developed a closer working relationship with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and their NeighborWoods project. One result of this project was the acquisition of $33,000 as part of a joint grant request to the US Forest Service for the development of a cost-share tree purchase program as part of the Marion County SWCD’s tree sale program. Landowners in the county received 50% cost-share on the purchase 115 1¼ inch container trees during the fall tree sale. The program will continue until 500 trees have been added to the county’s landscape.

• The Plant A Million Steering committee established a Tree Planting Fund as a place for depositing and disbursing funds from people interested in making donations for tree planting throughout the RC&D area.

• Grant requests for tree planting were submitted to IMPACT 100 of Greater Indianapolis, United Water, Hoosier Lottery, Sam’s Club, and the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors. We received $1,000 from Sam’s Club. Of special interest, although the proposal to IMPACT 100 was not successful, donations of nearly $2,000 were received from individual members. The steering committee has recently voted to designate these funds for the newly established Tree Planting Fund.

• A $49,921 grant was received from the Lilly Endowment Inc. in August for demonstration tree plantings, education and information efforts, developing demonstration rain gardens, and educational staff support in Marion County. Demonstration rain gardens are being designed for the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Tree plantings have been scheduled for six neighborhoods and schools.

• Funds from the Lilly Endowment grant and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust grant have permitted us to hire a part-time marketing specialist and a part-time education and information coordinator who have added significant value to the PAM effort by developing brochures, updating the website, getting us started with billboard messages and public service announcements, and many other activities. A great new publication for youth called “Community Service Tree Planting Projects” is near completion and will be distributed early next year.

• Completion of five additional tree fact sheets and placement on the www.plantamillion.org website for use by the public as they decide which tree species fits their objective, soil condition, and location. This makes 45 fact sheets on the website. An additional 33 fact sheets are in draft stage and being reviewed by foresters for adding to the web site in 2009.

A very special thank you to the PAM Steering Committee members:

Emma Alkire (Chairperson), Morgan County Kelly Frank, Boone County Leigh Bangs, Hamilton County Cindy Beckner-Newkirk, Hancock County Jack Nelson, Hendricks County Bill Kirklin, Johnson County Erv Kattleman, Monroe County Paula Baldwin, Marion County Mike Baldwin, Marion County Tom Ulsas, Marion County Jill Williams, Shelby County Mike Warner, Arbor Terra (serves as an advisor to the committee)

8

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS In 2008, Hoosier Heartland had five standing committees. These committees focus on the primary issues identified in the RC&D Area Plan, including environmental education, forestry management and production, urban forestry, tree planting, rural fire protection, water quality, water management, wildlife, erosion control, low cost computer training, land resources, farmland protection, alternative enterprises, conservation tillage, agri-tourism, land use, wetland mitigation and enhancement, and community development. Each committee elects their own officers and develops their own plan of work, including how they will raise funds and implement projects.

Other project committees are appointed to work on specific projects and programs as needed. In 2008, we had five project committees functioning: Riparian Area Buffer Tree Planting Steering Committee, Plant A Million Steering Committee, Indy Free Trees committee, Indy Trees Work Committee, and the Rural Entrepreneur Network (REN) Steering Committee.

The committees are diverse in membership and include citizens, businesses, private consultants, working professionals, agency personnel, etc. We invite you to join us to help make a difference—contact the office or any of the chairpersons if you are interested in helping on a committee or with an activity. BACKYARD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE - Shaena Smith, Chair The focus of the Backyard Conservation Committee provides technical and educational assistance to landowners interested in enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting soil quality, and improving water quality in our quickly growing communities. We develop educational and informational literature, produce sample news releases and workshop agendas, work to strengthen our outreach and communication with local landowners and organizations, and strive to provide coordination for many of Central Indiana’s Backyard Conservation activities. Our audience includes homeowners, service clubs, non-profit organizations, public officials, neighborhood associations, tree nurseries, landscapers, schools, parks departments, and anyone else with an interest in improving our environment.

The Backyard Conservation Committee, formerly known as the Conservation in Your Yard (CYY) Committee, changed its name at the start of 2008 in an attempt to gain more publicity and recognition in Central Indiana. The word “backyard” is already used in many environmental contexts (e.g. National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Backyard Conservation Program); it is becoming more recognizable and mainstream, and thus could help Hoosier Heartland gain additional support and recognition for their efforts. The committee met six (6) times in 2008, and worked hard to accomplish the following:

We published four issues of the “Backyard Conservation: Conserving with Nature in Your Yard” newsletter, containing a variety of articles on native landscaping, tree and shrub planting, wildlife habitat, and local events focused on Backyard Conservation practices. Special thanks go to Cindy Newkirk and Heather Wolfe for their editing and lay-out work.

Cindy Newkirk also assisted the committee and Plant A Million by working on tree fact sheets for numerous tree species. These are posted on the Plant A Million website and are a wonderful resource for landowners.

Ron Lauster and John Ulmer did a great job getting the Backyard Conservation page on the Hoosier Heartland website up and running. The newsletters, tree sale dates, and other important information is posted there, and should help keep Hoosier Heartland in the public eye as more and more information goes electronic.

Shaena Smith and a small subcommittee worked to review the old Backyard Tree Farm binders and decide what their final use should be. The committee decided to donate the binders to the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) to use in their Certified Habitat Steward trainings.

Speaking of trees, a big thank-you goes to Jill Williams for her work coordinating the district tree sales each spring and fall. Thanks to her efforts, all dates and information are posted on the Plant A Million website and published in our newsletter.

After witnessing the success and popularity of the “Your Yard, Your Trees” (YYYT) publication, the committee formed a

subcommittee to research the feasibility of a “Your Yard, Your Shrubs” (YYYS) publication. Thanks to the great foundation set by the YYYT authors and the hard work of the YYYS subcommittee, the text has been written and photos and illustrations are being compiled. We have been unable to attain funding for lay-out and printing, but are hopeful that 2009 will bring us new luck. Look for this great publication to be out soon!

Another new project tackled by the Backyard Conservation Committee was the coordination of a rain barrel sale. After much research, the committee discovered that Johnson County SWCD was willing to share their bulk-ordered rain barrels and downspout diverters with the other SWCDs, giving all counties an inexpensive and reliable source of barrels. The committee designed a brochure with order form, wrote sample news releases, produced a sample workshop agenda, and aided the SWCDs in organizing their own rain barrel sales. These sales will get important conservation measures on the ground while providing each district with a small fundraiser.

The committee gave several presentations at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show, reaching hundreds of interested citizens during the popular event.

We also began to research sample weed ordinances, to help landowners and other groups work with municipalities so that native landscaping is encouraged, rather than discouraged.

In addition, we are planning a workshop for May 12, 2009 at the IWF office in Zionsville, where they have installed nearly every backyard conservation practice they could. Visit the Hoosier Heartland website for more information on this great event!

We are always looking for assistance in accomplishing these goals, and many others that are brought up at each meeting, so please attend a meeting sometime and let us know what you would like to help with!

9

EDUCATION COMMITTEE - Cathy Paradise, Chair

The Education Committee focuses on environmental education, curriculum development, and computer technology training. We do this through programs, resource materials and tools, and developing supplemental curriculum. We are best known for our Annual Environmental Educators Workshop (formerly known as Camp Gallahue), but we have also developed other programs such as Master Naturalist Program, outdoor classroom workshops, and low cost computer workshops. We have assisted other agencies with educational training for their clients and employees. We promote other organization’s educational events and programs whenever possible. Our audience is teachers, youth and adult educators, agency personnel, like-minded organizations, and resource professionals.

I want to thank the education committee members for their outstanding work in 2008 but especially to Brooke Moore, Martha Miller, and Cathy Deal who worked diligently to make the projects of 2008 a big success. During 2008, I missed much work due to illness and without their dedication and hard work, our projects would not have happened. I cannot thank them enough.

The Committee met monthly for most of the year. We followed our Plan of Work and were able to accomplish much and have a lot of successes.

In June we held our Marketing Workshop in Hendricks County. Brooke Moore organized this workshop and we had excellent presenters. Attendees learned marketing skills for their districts and how to do make better written presentations as well as displays and other marketing tips. We had 47 in attendance. The evaluations showed they wanted more information and training on this subject matter. This was the first workshop of this kind we have held.

We are involved with the “No Child Left Inside” legislation and are keeping updated on what is going on with this bill. Sam Carmen, IDNR-Division of Forestry, has been keeping the committee informed and the “No Child Left Inside” bill (H.R.3036) was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in September of 2008. This bill addresses the nature deficit that affects children of today. The House bill and the Senate bill, if passed, could make environmental curriculum part of the school day for every child.

Martha Miller, subcommittee chair for the Home School workshop, partnered with Owen County SWCD’s Gwen Dieter to hold a Home School Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on September 5th. Martha and Gwen set the workshop up with revolving sessions. We hosted 60 attendees which included parents and their children with an age range from 5 to 16. The evaluations were very positive and encouraged the committee to sponsor another workshop of this type. Not only was this a learning experience but a great outdoor learning experience for all.

The education committee continues to promote the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI), NPower for computer training, and all of the environmental curriculum programs at the NREC (Natural Resources Education Center.) It is our goal to stay involved with teachers around our area and to help enhance programs that can use our assistance. In order to keep our committee able to complete our Plan of Work tasks and to make sure we are meeting the needs of educators and others, we plan to move the monthly meetings to different places around our RC&D area to see what others are doing in the environmental education area and where we can benefit other groups.

We will be working with PLT (Project Learning Tree) by holding a workshop in the spring of 2009. This workshop (“Places We Live”) is being planned for April, so watch for advertising of the date and place.

The committee is also looking at the possibility of working with Boy Scouts of America to help them attain their natural resources badge. No decision has been made at this time on what our plan for this is, but we will continue to pursue this venture in 2009.

As a committee, we hope to see new faces and new places! We know we want to be involved in new and different ways of education pertaining to our Natural Resources. We would like to let people know that to participate on our committee you do not have to attend every monthly meeting. We realize how busy everyone’s schedules are these days so if you have something you want to see presented, you can work with our committee to make that event happen. We would love to see you work with us on a long term basis, but are happy to have people who will work with us on one event or events that fit what they are trying to accomplish. Do not think because you are not available for our monthly meetings that you cannot work with our committee—we welcome and appreciate any time and talents you can contribute to the committee!

As we step into a new year, we as are most Americans, are trying to find new ways to do old as well as new things. We have less money, less people and less time. We still want to do our job and make a difference for today and tomorrow. What we do is important to our natural resources and to future generations. We cannot be discouraged by that fact that it seemed easier a few years ago. We must go forward with new ideas; new thoughts and we hope new people!

Photos are from the soils, water and forestry sessions at the Home School Workshop.

10

FORESTRY COMMITTEE - Mike Warner, Chair

The Forestry Committee focuses on forest and woodland management, stewardship, education, and information. We promote best management practices to address issues such as water quality, wildlife habitat, and the issues of forestry fragmentation. We also promote tree plantings and reforestation efforts for a variety of purposes, such as wood products, improved water and air quality, and carbon sequestration. This committee plans and holds workshops, field days and tours in partnership with like-minded organizations; we publish educational materials and provide hands-on experiences for woodland owners and others. We also provide recognition for outstanding forestry stewardship. Our audience is property owners, forest industry, conservation professionals, and interested citizens.

Our committee met four times this year to plan and oversee several projects. As you read earlier in this report, the Riparian Area Tree Planting Project ended in August of 2008 having reached our goal of planting nearly 50 acres of trees in a targeted area of the Upper White River Watershed. Over $48,000 in cost share was distributed to private landowners to plant trees. In addition, four high profile demonstration sites were planted and a research project conducted on two of those sites using CityGreen Modeling Software to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of trees planted. I’d like to especially thank Randy Jones who served at the project coordinator and Paul Miner who served as the Steering Committee Chair for the past three years. A special thanks also goes to Wendy DeBoard, a graduate student from IUPUI, who interned on the project, coordinated the field day, and completed the research project. Projects like these will have many positive and long lasting impacts on our water quality for years to come.

In February, we awarded our fifth annual forestry stewardship award to Robert Bolin of Morgan County. Mr. Bolin was recognized at the annual meeting, and presented with a plaque along with a $50 gift certificate to a forestry supply store. He received this award for his outstanding efforts to manage the woodlands, reforest several areas of his property, repair a riparian buffer, and for serving as a role model to other land owners.

The committee continues to explore ways they can become actively involved in helping to educated landowners on the

importance of managing invasives. Bob Eddleman and I met with the Sycamore Trails RC&D to discuss the possibility of starting up a new cooperative weed management area. In the fall, we once again supported the Brown County SWCD and local partners with their Nature Daze field day. A special thanks to Cindy Beckner, Paula Baldwin, and Tom Roseman who volunteered at that event where over 170 participants experienced hands-on activities to learn the importance of managing their natural resources and keeping their habitat free of invasive plants.

In September of 2008, the Forestry Committee (represented by Chuck Ratts) helped with the annual Farm Festival in Shelby County. That event attracted over 4,600 young people and their families from several surrounding counties. Chuck helped conduct forestry walks to talk about the importance of management practices. We also promoted the Plant A Million project by having an exhibit at the event.

In 2009, we will be offering the 8-Week Forestry Management Course for Woodland owners thanks to Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (Lenny Farlee); IDNR Division of Forestry (Chuck Ratts), and Morgan County Extension (Chris Parker). We will also be planning a hands-on invasives workshop in Hendricks County in the spring targeting neighborhood associations and municipalities. Several other projects are in the works for 2009 and we could use your help. Thanks to Al Weber, Chuck Ratts, Jennifer Boyle, and Bob and Pat Eddleman for helping to support the committee this past year.

RURAL MATTERS COMMITTEE - Paula Baldwin, Chair

The Committee focuses on a variety of land use issues including rural fire protection, alternative enterprises, agri-tourism, land use planning and development, agriculture, conservation tillage, and water quality in the urban fringes and beyond. We develop educational programs, materials, and resource tools. We have had major projects to install dry fire hydrants, put on land use workshops, and promote and support alternative enterprises and alliances. We have also supported several area watershed projects. Our audience includes public officials, resource professionals, planners, community leaders, watershed groups, fire department personnel and volunteers, teachers, youth educators, developers, farmers, and private landowners.

The Rural Matters Committee has continued to struggle in finding volunteers to help us in our activities. Our real outcomes this year have been small and mostly limited to the wonderfully successful Rural Entrepreneur Network. This project, under the guidance of Jim Roudebush, has expanded to 30 counties across the state and has engaged not only rural families, but many organizations and agencies who work in rural development. It has provided skill development, a communications network for peer interaction, and promoted the concept that communities should and can create an atmosphere for entrepreneurial success. Yet with all this energy and progress, we have been unable to continue the program. Efforts are still being made by Jim to garner new funding and if that fails, we will continue to search for the dollars needed.

Our support of watershed projects – especially 319 – has been in the form of a watershed blog site that includes some excellent data sets along with the opportunity for watershed

coordinators, educators, and others to join in cyber conversations. Though this type of interaction is growing in popularity, it has had a slow start.

We are still hoping to find a member or two who would be interested in leading efforts in a number of areas. An example: creating a rural living handbook for the newly rural homeowner (offering information on everything from what to expect from roads, fire protection, and other services to how to deal with septic systems or go about raising animals or gardens).

We are trying to find the answer to our low numbers – mostly it seems possible that our broad mission that includes watershed education, land use issues, and rural job creation has made it difficult for members to find the right niche. We know we have important work to do and have many more ideas than we can manage and we are not giving up. But we sure could use some fresh faces and ideas around our table!

11

URBAN COMMITTEE - John South, Chair

The Urban Committee focuses on erosion and sediment control in developing areas, stormwater and drainage issues that affect water quality, land use changes, new technological tools. We develop educational programs for practicing professionals, along with resource materials, and tools. Although we have developed several widely recognized publications, we are best known for our technical workshops, such as Watershed Hydrologic Modeling (TR-20), Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds (TR-55) Workshops, Hydraulics and Hydrology Seminars for Beginners, Contractor’s Stormwater Management and Basic Erosion Control, plus many others. We enjoy partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to produce these award winning seminars, as well as experts in engineering, development, and academic circles. Our audience is very diverse - developers, realtors, builders, planners, surveyors, excavation contractors, erosion control product manufacturers, engineers, grounds keepers, turf managers, public officials, urban foresters, as well as homeowner’s associations, businesses, and private landowners.

The Urban Committee is a small dedicated group focusing its time and energy to provide educational opportunities to improve the management of urban natural resources. This group through its network of contacts involves many different people in the individual projects. Water quality and quantity issues are at the top of the list of resources that can be improved in our urban environments. We are seeing additional support in this area from local municipalities and watershed groups. River clean-ups, stream identification signage, radio and movie theater ads, and stormwater fees have helped to alert the general public that water is an important issue in Central Indiana.

The urban committee has focused their attention on the management of retention ponds, construction of rain gardens, utilization of non-structural water quality practices, and providing training on the use of hydrology and hydraulic programs and principles.

The committee sponsored a Technical Release 55 (TR-55) workshop on June 18th at the Trinity Lutheran School’s computer lab. The TR-55 hydrology program presents simplified procedure for estimating runoff and peak discharges in small watersheds. This workshop was taught by Jeff Healy (Banning Engineering, PE) and is especially designed for engineering firms and others involved in planning and development of urbanizing area. The workshop was at capacity with 19 attendees.

In early 2008, we re-established our connections with the Real Estate Career Institute. We were asked to provide instructors for the June 13th-and 14th workshop for the natural resources course for Real Estate agents as part of the Indiana State continuing education requirements. John South, Ken Pyle, Duane Drockelman, and Brian Neilson provided instruction to approximately 95 realtors registered for this four hour class. The efforts of our program along with many others are starting to make some positive changes to the natural resources of Central Indiana.

Ron Lauster spearheaded the subcommittee on the Green Site Planning workshop that was held on April 16th at the Allison Mansion on the Marian Collage campus. This workshop targeted planners, landscape architects, developers, engineers, water quality specialist and governments employees which focused on innovative ways to use native vegetation with site development, management plans, and designs. A tour of the EcoLab was a highlight of the day. There was an overwhelming response to this type of workshop with 66 participants in attendance.

A dedicated group of professionals representing landscapers, soil scientists, engineers, Master Gardeners, Soil and Water

Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) worked the better part of 2008 compiling technical information for the colorful and informative Rain Garden brochure. The brochure covers easy topics on how to plan, design, and construct a rain garden with easy step-by-step instructions. Check out the Hoosier Heartland RC&D website (www.hhrcd.org) to get a look at the brochure. Printed copies will be available in the spring of 2009. This is the first step to enhance the public’s awareness and ability to construct rain gardens. Inserts to provide additional information will be completed in 2009.

For some time, Ken Pyle (Land, Inc. and retired USDA Soil Conservation Service employee) has been researching the importance of top soil management and the critical need for top soiling ordinances here in Central Indiana where compact glacial till is a major issue. The committee agrees and supports that utilizing top soil is a fundamental principle for reducing runoff, reducing irrigation, and reducing fertilizer use. As a first step to address this issue Ken has developed a presentation that will be used at the 2009 Central Indiana Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Conference.

There were 20 participants at the Hydrology and Hydraulics Course for Beginners workshop held October 23-24 at Trinity Lutheran School in Indianapolis. This two-day course is taught by Jeff Healy (Banning Engineers, PE) and designed for contractors, developers, and engineers who have an awareness of the sciences and arts of hydrology and hydraulics, and a desire to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities in this field.

The committee co-sponsored the Shoreline Stewards workshops which were held on June 12th and August 21st. This two-day workshop provided opportunity for landowners, homeowners, home owner associations, and other property managers who are interested in protecting and restoring the valuable natural resources at the waters edge. The first workshop dealt with assessing the shoreline situations and the second workshop focused on how to implement a plan of action. This workshop was well received with 16 in attendance. Marion County SWCD developed this workshop as an advanced opportunity for those who had taken the Pond Pro workshop in 2007. We plan to help with another Pond Pro workshop in 2009.

I would like to say thank you to the members of the committee in 2008 and to those who provided instruction for the many workshops and seminars we completed.

We have several ambitious projects on the plan of work in 2009 and invite you to join us!

12

2008 PARTNERS We recognize and thank our partners that help to carry out and support the programs of Hoosier Heartland. We are deeply grateful to these partners who believe so strongly in our mission of building strong communities and caring for natural resources.

A&T Wildlife Management Advanced Drainage Systems Ag One Co-op AmeriPlex-Indianapolis Holladay

Properties Appleworks Orchard Aqua Terra Consulting Aquatic Control, Inc. Arbor Terra Resource Management

Consulting (Mike Warner) Avon Outdoor Learning Center Banning Engineering, PE (Jeff Healy) Beasley Orchard Beech Grove Library Bloomington Parks and Recreation Boone County Extension Service Boone County- Lebanon Public

Library Boone County REMC Boone County Soil and Water

Conservation District Brown County Community

Foundation Brown County Extension Service Brown County Native Woodland

Project Brown County Soil and Water

Conservation District Brown County State Park Brownsburg Landscape and Design Bundy & Company, Inc. C.P. Morgan Company Calumet Asphalt Paving Camp Atterbury Fish and Wildlife

Area Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. City of Bloomington-Department of

Transportation City of Indianapolis, Department of

Public Works Community Education Coalition Computer Help, Inc. (Bob Weaver) Connor Shrimp Farm CPESC Inc. Creekside Middle School Davey Resource Group Drainage Solutions Dubois County Extension Service Earth Support Systems EcoLogic Empower Results, LLC ENTEL Farm World Greene County Community

Foundation Greene County Community Learning

Center Greene County Economic

Development Greene County Extension Service Hamilton County Extension Service

Hamilton County Master Gardeners Hamilton County Soil and Water

Conservation District Hamilton County Surveyor Hancock County Extension Service Hancock County Public Library Hancock County Soil and Water

Conservation District Hendricks County Extension Service Hendricks County Flyer Hendricks County Partnership for

Water Quality Hendricks County Soil and Water

Conservation District Hoosier Chapter Soil & Water

Conservation Society Hoosier Energy Hoosier Riverwatch IDEM Watershed Planning Division IDNR Community & Urban Forestry

Program IDNR Division of Fish and Wildlife IDNR Division of Forestry IDNR Division of Water Image Sales, Inc IMPACT 100 of Greater Indianapolis Indiana Agri News Indiana Arborist Association Indiana Assoc. of Nurserymen Indiana Assoc. of Soil and Water

Conservation Districts, Inc. Indiana Association of Cities and

Towns Indiana Association of Consulting

Foresters Indiana Association of Convention

and Visitors Bureaus Indiana Association of Floodplain

Managers Indiana Beef Cattle Association Indiana Christmas Tree Growers

Association Indiana Cooperative Development

Center Indiana Department of Education Indiana Dept. Environmental

Management Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. Indiana Farm Market Associates Indiana Forage Council Indiana Forest Industry Council Indiana Forestry and Woodland

Owner’s Association Indiana Hardwood Lumberman's

Association Indiana Horticulture Society Indiana Karst Conservancy Indiana Lakes Management Society Indiana Land Use Consortium Indiana Office of Community & Rural

Affairs

Indiana Planning Association Indiana Rural Development Council,

Inc. Indiana Shrimp Farmers Alliance Indiana Small Business Development

Centers Indiana Society of American

Foresters Indiana State Department of

Agriculture (ISDA) Indiana State Fairgrounds Indiana Trail Riders Association Indiana Tree Farm Committee Indiana University-Purdue University

(IUPUI) Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences

Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI), Intramural & Recreational Sports Department

Indiana Wildlife Federation Indiana Wildlife Society Indianapolis Airport Authority’s

Conservation Management Team Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Power and Light Indianapolis Star Indianapolis-Marion County Library Indy Parks Foundation IndyDust Construction J.F. New and Associates Co. Jasper County Chamber of

Commerce Jennings County Extension Service

Office Jerry Pellman-Board Member, U.S.

Freshwater and Prawn Growers Association

John Fisher and Assoc. John Manley Finish Grading John Seifert, IDNR Division of

Forestry John Ward Excavating Johnson County Extension Service

Office Johnson County Soil and Water

Conservation District KCI Technologies Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Land, Inc. (Ken and Julie Pyle) Landmark Construction, Inc. Lange Industries Laser Alignment Lawrence County Economic Growth

Council Lawrence County Extension Service Lilly Endowment Inc. Marion County Extension Service Marion County Health Department Marion County Registered

Neighborhood Organizations

13

2008 Partners (cont.) Marion County Soil and Water

Conservation District Martinsville Chamber of Commerce Midland Co-op Inc. Monroe County Extension Service Monroe County Library Monroe County Parks and Recreation Monroe County Plan Commission Monroe County Soil and Water

Conservation District Montgomery County Extension

Service Morgan County Extension Service Morgan County Library Morgan County Soil and Water

Conservation District Mr. & Mrs. Bob Eddleman Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Gregory Mr. & Mrs. Paul Sweeney Muscatatuck National Wildlife

Refuge Bookstore Natural Resources Consulting (Ron

Dixon) New Horizons Computer Training Niches Land Trust Norcross Wildlife Foundation NPower, Inc. Nutec Supply Owen County SWCD Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Platinum Properties Prinsco, Inc. Proforma Project Learning Tree Project Underground Project WET Project WILD Purdue New Ventures

Purdue University – Agriculture and Biological Engineering Dept., Agronomy Department, Forestry and Natural Resources Dept., Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Science

Purdue University Extension Service and Center for Region Development

Purdue University Planning with POWER

Putnam County Extension Service Rawhide Ranch (Derek Clifford) Remenschneider & Associates Revolutionary Machine, Inc. Rinker Materials Roudebush Management Services,

LLC Sam’s Club – Indianapolis West SCI – REMC Shelby County Board of

Commissioners Shelby County Extension Service Shelby County Soil and Water

Conservation District Shelbyville Library South Central SBDC Spence Restoration Nursery Statewide Rural Electric

Cooperatives Susan Schultz, NACD Temporary Pavement & Drives The Nature Conservancy The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable

Trust Topics Newspaper Town of Plainfield Triad Engineering Trinity Lutheran School Turfgrass, Inc.

Turfscape Tuttle Orchard (Tom Roney) Upper White River Watershed

Alliance US Fish & Wildlife Service US Geological Service US Green Building Council-Indiana

Chapter USDA Forest Service, Northeastern

Area, S&PF USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service USDA Rural Development Vallonia State Nursery Veolia Water Company – Indianapolis Wayne Kramer Inc. White River Library White River RC&D Council Williams Creek Consulting Wood-Mizer Products International Woody Warehouse Young’s Creek Watershed Project

We try very hard not to overlook anyone. Please let us know if you are aware of someone we missed.

Hoosier Heartland gratefully

acknowledges the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for their continued support. We enjoy a unique

and valuable public/private partnership through the RC&D program!

2008 DONORS We especially thank our financial donors who have made so many project possible this past year. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eddleman Ms. Laurie Boyd Ms. Elizabeth Berg Ms. Diane Pfeifer The Samerian Foundation Ms. Rebecca Lomax Ms. Donna Oklak Ms. Candace Shelton

Ms. Jacqueline Schnellenberger Ms. Kimberly Robertson Ms. Emily West Mr. Thomas Fitton Ms. Nancy Inui Pings Tree Service Indianapolis Power & Light Sam’s Club, Indianapolis Westside

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Lilly Endowment Inc. Indiana Office Of Community And Rural Affairs Hoosier Energy

14

2008 FINANCIAL STATEMENT (JANUARY 1-DECEMBER 31)

ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings First Indiana Bank 65,824.95 Gaming Account 14,782.38 Bulk Mail Account 379.58

Total Checking/Savings 80,986.91 Other Current Assets Petty Cash 11.97 Undeposited Funds 2,419.00

Total Other Current Assets 2,430.97

Fixed Assets Government Bond 9,240.00 Brown County Foundation - Restricted Funds (1) 13,162.40 Indiana SWCD Foundation - Restricted Funds (2) 541.25

Total Fixed Assets 22,943.65

Total All Assets $106,361.53 NOTE: (1) Brown County Foundation – Loss of $7,680.58 in 2008 (2) Indiana SWCD Foundation – Loss of $109.84 in 2008

INCOME FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES (grants and donations) 118, 673.51 WORKSHOP INCOME 12,460.00

PROJECT INCOME 16191.58

OTHER INCOME 3,514.13

Total Income 150,839.22

EXPENSES STAFF EXPENSES Employee Meals/Training/Travel/Mileage 360.73 Payroll Tax Expense/Worker's Comp 2,812.26 Salaries & Wages 32,683.01

BOARD/VOLUNTEER EXPENSES 851.81

CONTRACTOR EXPENSES 120,342.43 WORKSHOPS/MEETING 5,181.36 GEN & ADMINISTRATIVE 9141.80

Project Cost Share Payments 47,387.62 Total GEN & ADMINISTRATIVE 56,529.42

Total Expenses 218,761.02

The US Department of Agriculture, the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and

Development Council and our partnering organizations are equal opportunity employers and providers.

RC&D is an excellent vehicle to address common natural resources needs in a geographical economically similar region!

15